SASKATOON, SK -- Geroy Simon's retirement has opened a door for Taj Smith to become a leader on a Riders roster that is suddenly laden with young talent.

“The guys respect me a lot, and I just try to be a role model to them and just try to help as much as I can, because I know how it was for me when I first got here,” said Smith when asked about his new role.

In what was only his second CFL season, Smith registered an impressive 78 receptions for 1,007 yards, hauling in seven touchdowns in the process.

With Simon and Weston Dressler out of the picture in Riderville, Smith has an opportunity to establish himself as an even bigger force on the offensive side of the ball in 2014.